Studies in Religion FAQ

Do I need to be religious to take religion classes?

Religion classes are not about personal belief; they are about how people in history have acted on their beliefs and used their religion to answer fundamental questions and make certain choices in their lives and societies. You do not need to have any exposure to any religion or have any personal faith to take a Religion class (although, of course, if you do have exposure to a religion or a personal faith, you’re welcome!). All you need to understand the subjects of a course on religion are critical reading, writing, and thinking skills—no personal belief in the divine is needed.

Is a religion dual-major or minor worth much on the job market?

Employers today complain that recent graduates lack writing and critical thinking skills—but they certainly don’t lack those skills if they’re religion majors! Employers look for job candidates who are sensitive and aware of the complexity and diversity of the world around them, and who are able to engage with that world critically and analytically—and this is the definition of what a religion major provides for you. And remember, too, that religion is a dual-major; you need to have another major in order to major in religion. So you can major in history or business or science alongside your major in religion, and satisfy your religious interests while still ensuring the marketplace of your history- or business- or science-specific skills.

For more information on the marketability of the religion major, and on what graduates of our program can expect on the job market, check out our Careers With a Religion Degree page, our Events page, or email Prof. Mancia to talk about it!

What are the requirements to major in religion?

You need 21 credits, or seven courses. You also must have a dual-major from another program or department at Brooklyn College. You may apply up to six credits from your other major toward fulfilling the requirements of the religion major.

Are there any restrictions on the primary major that I will pair with my major in religion?

No restrictions! Simply consult with the coordinator for the religion orogram before finalizing your decision. The program has dual majors with religion and psychology, accounting, classics, history, biology, etc.

Is it possible to take a course outside of the ones listed and apply it to a religion major or minor?

If you can make the argument that the course fits in with a line of inquiry that you are pursuing, then the director will support your petition to include the course.

What are the requirements to minor in religion?

You need to complete 15 credits or five courses from those listed in the program’s offerings with a grade of C or higher. The only requirement among the courses is to take either RELG 3003: Abrahamic Religions or RELG 3005: Religions of India, China and Japan or CLAS 3237 (HIST 3310): Ancient Mediterranean Religions. 12 of the 15 credits must be completed at Brooklyn College.

What if I would like to take an upper-level religion course with a prerequisite and I have not completed the prerequisite?

Depending on the course, we will try to accommodate your request. This would be on a case-by-case basis, so please feel free to ask the professor and consult with the Religion director and see whether they are able to make the exception.

When I put “Religion” into CUNYFirst, I don’t see a lot of courses. Where are the Religion courses?

Remember that not all courses that count toward the Religion program have RELG-designators—many of them are simply history courses (HIST), classics courses (CLAS), political science courses (POLS), etc. The best thing to do is to check out the Courses on Offer this Semester page on our website, or to e-mail Professor Mancia for the list of courses on offer for the semester you’re registering for.

I wish there were more classes on X or Y religion. What should I do?

E-mail Professor Mancia! It might be that you aren’t seeing the classes offered, because they tend to be scattered around the departments of Brooklyn College. But it is true that the Religion program doesn’t have all the classes we wish it did! So it might also be possible to e-permit a class on something you’re looking for, enabling you to take it elsewhere at CUNY. Ask Professor Mancia for more information on this.

What if I have any other questions about the program?

Feel free to visit the director, Professor Lauren Mancia. Send her an e-mail to set up an appointment. No question is too big or too small. She’ll be happy to hear from you!